Sales of Prilosec (Losec) in the U.S. up 37 Percent During the first Nine Months of 1998

SALES OF PRILOSEC @ (LOSEC @) IN THE U.S. UP 37 PERCENT DURING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1998 Total sales of Prilosec (Losec) in the U.S. during the third quarter of 1998 amounted to USD 535 m. (1997: 570), a decrease of 6 percent. The sales trend was impacted by wholesale inventory changes between the second and third quarters of 1998. Combined sales of Prilosec during the period January-September 1998 amounted to USD 2,165 (1,585) m., an increase of 37 percent, corresponding to approximately SEK 17,100 (12,100) m. Growth in total prescriptions for the year through August was approximately 30 percent. Contact persons: Staffan Ternby, Vice President, PR & Information, Astra AB, +46-8-553 261 07 Mikael Widell, Press Manager, Astra AB, +46-8-553 264 28 Michael Olsson, Manager Investor Relations, Astra AB, +46-8-553 259 52 Jörgen Winroth, Investor Relations U.S., Astra AB, +1-609-896 4148 (Prilosec Q3 ENG.doc)